Headphone recommendations ~250

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Davout

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Topic # 192183 1-Mar-2016 00:52

I'm looking for some nice closed headphones for 250 or less. I mostly listen to metal.

They need to be decent without an amp, I'll be using them on a Mac Mini. Would decent headphones be worthwhile without an external DAC/amp?

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Reply # 1501929 1-Mar-2016 07:10

Check out the Headphone Thread

timmmay

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Reply # 1501932 1-Mar-2016 07:37

I have a couple of DACs and an amp, unless you have really hard to drive headphones they make no difference. People just like owning expensive things the others don't have, I think.

Sony headphones are generally pretty good, as are Audio Technica and Sennheiser.

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sidefx

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Reply # 1501966 1-Mar-2016 09:33

Finch:

Check out the Headphone Thread

The headphone thread is very cool, but if you're looking for something specific (and have a budget) the signal to noise ratio in there can be a little confusing ;-) Still a good read.

I was recently in a similar position to the OP and decided on some HD598s - with the current price on amazon I think you can land them for ~240NZD (and I think people were landing them for like 190NZD or less during the last black friday sale, though I don't think the exchange rate is as good now and I don't want to wait)

Mine just arrived at the youshop warehouse, so I'll let you know - I'm consolidating with some other packages though so shipping won't be just for the headphones.

richms

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Reply # 1501971 1-Mar-2016 09:40

Ive found a USB based amp essential on my desktop PC because its output is rather noisy. Otherwise there is a constant background hiss that is just loud enough to feel unpleasant.

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Reply # 1501973 1-Mar-2016 09:44

What kind of sound do you like?

Bassy? Hate bass? Like bass?

Midrange? Like lots of midrange?

Treble? Hate sibilance? Need treble?

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Reply # 1501974 1-Mar-2016 09:45

Davout:

Hi

I'm looking for some nice closed headphones for 250 or less. I mostly listen to metal.

They need to be decent without an amp, I'll be using them on a Mac Mini. Would decent headphones be worthwhile without an external DAC/amp?

I used to listen to Audeze LCD 2 on my laptop. To me the digital signal processing made it sound better than my cheap Fiio E17 DAC/Amp. Not sure why I sold it, but that's another story.

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Reply # 1502015 1-Mar-2016 10:58

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I always enjoyed my Grado 325is for metal/rock

networkn

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Reply # 1502023 1-Mar-2016 11:15

I don't listen to (hard) rock, or metal that much.

I have found HD650's to be pretty versatile, though I'll admit, probably not the firs choice for metal.

I would strenuously disagree with timmays comments about DAC's and Amp's overall, but it would depend on the headphones (and obviously the person themselves). I would say the law of diminishing returns applies.

My wife, a musical neophyte (her own words) can clearly tell the difference between my headphones plugged into my PC and then plugged into the same PC with my Crack amp in the middle.

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Reply # 1502039 1-Mar-2016 11:31

The HD650 is neither $250 nor closed ;p

networkn

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Reply # 1502040 1-Mar-2016 11:32

joker97:

The HD650 is neither $250 nor closed ;p

Sorry I meant second hand correct, sorry I misread the closed part.

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Reply # 1502042 1-Mar-2016 11:33

HD650's are over twice the OP's budget.

I still like my Audio Technica ATH-M50's, even if they aren't really flavour of the month anymore. The only thing I didn't like was the ear pads (common complaint). Velvet ones can be found on Amazon which make them comfortable for hours.

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Reply # 1502045 1-Mar-2016 11:36

I currently use ATH M50.

IMO 80-95% (depending on the track) of the overall experience of an Audeze LCD 2. But just found out last night that despite it being closed it leaks sound.

I guess most cheap closed cans leak sound.

Davout

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Reply # 1502540 2-Mar-2016 02:29

joker97:

What kind of sound do you like?

Bassy? Hate bass? Like bass?

Midrange? Like lots of midrange?

Treble? Hate sibilance? Need treble?

Here's the thing, I'm not too sure. That's why I mentioned metal...

I was thinking M50 (apparently they are uncomfortable?) or Beyerdynamic DT770 from Amazon shipped would be around 250$. Found this thread that points me to Shure SRH840, for my genre of metal, heavy/progressive over the D770. Would they be worth an extra 50-70$?

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Reply # 1502565 2-Mar-2016 07:48

Whether it's worth it depends on the sound you like. THey both produce slightly different kind of sound. If you are not sure I am predicting you (like 99% of the world's population) won't bother/care/notice/aware of too much about the differences. In which case buy anything you like that people suggest.

timmmay

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Reply # 1502580 2-Mar-2016 08:10

There are many variations of the DT770, see here. I didn't like The DT770-80 all that much, bass way too strong, mids recessed, lack of detail.

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